NASA has unveiled its 2025 Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) class, selecting ten new astronaut candidates from an impressive pool of over 8,000 applicants across the United States. This 24th class since 1959 marks a significant milestone, as it’s the first time in the agency’s history that women constitute the majority. These exceptional individuals will embark on a two-year intensive training program, equipping them for future missions to low Earth orbit, lunar expeditions as part of the Artemis program, and potentially crewed journeys to Mars.
Class Composition and Backgrounds
According to NASA, the 2025 astronaut candidates boast a rich tapestry of knowledge and experience. Among the ten selected are geologist Dr. Lauren Edgar, who played a key role in shaping Artemis science objectives; Anna Menon, a former operations engineer and private astronaut with a background at a prominent space company; military test pilots Adam Fuhrmann and Cameron Jones; and physician Imelda Muller. The class also includes a mix of other engineers, flight surgeons, and planetary scientists. With six women among the ten, this class highlights NASA’s commitment to diversity as it prepares for ambitious voyages to the Moon and subsequent missions to Mars.
Training and Future Mission
Beginning in early 2026, the candidates will commence approximately two years of rigorous preparation at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Their comprehensive training will cover essential skills such as spacewalking, robotics, flight operations, geology, and space medicine. They will also study Russian, a critical skill for potential assignments on the International Space Station. While this class isn’t slated for the very first Artemis lunar landing, they are expected to crew subsequent Artemis flights, contributing to the establishment of a sustained Moon base and testing systems vital for long-duration space travel. Their collective experience and dedication will directly advance NASA’s ultimate goal of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s.